Tough group at Peace Cup for Qantas Matildas

The Qantas Matildas will have their chance to continue their recent impressive form against high quality opposition after being drawn against some of the best teams in the world for this year’s Peace Cup in South Korea.

The Qantas Matildas will have their chance to continue their recent impressive form against high quality opposition after being drawn against some of the best teams in the world for this year-s Peace Cup in South Korea.

Australia have been drawn against Olympic champions USA, 2004 Asian Champions DPR (North) Korea and strong European nation Denmark at the eight-nation tournament which is the richest in women-s football.

The Qantas Matildas last month secured a berth at the 2007 FIFA Women-s World Cup with a 2-0 win over Japan in the semi final of the AFC Women-s Asian Cup, before narrowly missing out on being the first Australian national team to be crowned Asian champions, losing on penalties to China in the final in Adelaide.

The 2006 Peace Cup will be played in six cities commencing on October 28 with the winners of the two groups to meet in the final in Seoul on November 4. Australia have been drawn into Group B while Group A comprises Brazil, Italy, Nigeria and host nation South Korea.

“Each of the three opponents in our group are amongst the elite in the world so the tournament will be a tremendous challenge for us,” said Qantas Matildas coach Tom Sermanni.

“Whilst it will be a great test for us the squad are looking forward to building further on our recent performances in Adelaide as we prepare for next year-s World Cup and Olympic qualifiers.”

Australia's group matches will be:

29 October v North Korea in Kimhae
31 October v USA in Chonan
2 November v Denmark in Suwon

4 November: Final in Seoul

The USA are currently ranked 2nd in the world, DPR Korea 7th, Denmark 9th and Australia 15th.

The Qantas Matildas will commence their 2008 Olympic qualifying campaign early next year with the 2007 FIFA Women-s World Cup scheduled for September in China.